Breastfeeding is the best for babies and a healthy diet / maternal nutrition is important when breastfeeding. A decision not to breastfeed can be difficult to reverse. Infant formula is suitable from birth when babies are not breastfed. It is recommended that all formula milks be used on the advice of a doctor, midwife, health visitor, public health nurse, dietitian, pharmacist, or other professional responsible for maternal and child care and the financial implications should be considered. All preparation and feeding instructions should be followed carefully as inappropriate preparation could lead to health hazards.

The Best Toys for 1-year-olds

Go ahead and let your baby play! The right toys entertain and enhance the development of a baby’s senses and keep them occupied when busy parents need a breather. Go for the classics over fads. Then, depending on budget or when your child’s boredom kicks in, you can consider some extra nice-to-haves.

Play Mat

This gives your baby the freedom to reach for toys and strengthens their stomach muscles – important for rolling, crawling and sitting up. The various textures and stimulating patterns of play mats also help your baby develop hand-eye coordination.

Black & White Toy

High contrast objects help young babies develop their visual focus as black against white is among the first few colours they can see.

Hanging Mobiles

Mobiles can enhance your little one's eye control, visual-tracking skills and in some designs, sound recognition too. They can even improve your baby's concentration! For safety, remember to remove mobiles the moment your baby can reach up and touch it from their crib.

Stacking Cups and Building Blocks

Stacking and nesting cups help your baby develop hand-eye coordination and motor skills. Like soft building blocks, they come in an infinite variety of textures and stimulating colours.

Rattles, Chimes and other Instruments

When shaking a rattle or banging a drum, a baby not only stimulates their sense of touch and directional hearing, but also learns about cause and effect.

Soft Book

Easy to grab and hold books allow your baby to chew, flip and explore. And of course, reading aloud to your baby is always a great way to bond and stimulate language development.

Teethers

Chewing on different materials and shapes helps soothe sore gums and develop a baby’s bite. Teethers also double up as easy-to-grip toys.

A Stuffed or Cloth Toy

Plushies or stuffed toys provide a comforting reassurance and security, while cloth toys are easy to hold and provide interesting textures that encourage little hands to explore.

TIPS:

- Never put toys into a new baby’s crib as they can be choking or suffocating hazards.

- To prolong a toy’s longevity, rotate them every few weeks by packing them away for a week and returning them to your baby again.

Disclaimer: All content on this Website is provided solely for informational purposes and is not intended as a substitute for medical and/or other professional advice for your specific condition. Please do not disregard medical and/or other professional advice or delay seeking it because of something you have read on this Website. Always seek medical advice before starting any new treatments.